Yakamas protest at proposed Boardman coal site

Tribal fishermen are protesting a coal company’s plan to ship millions of tons of coal down the Columbia River.

The Yakama Nation is contesting the proposal.

Tribal leaders and fishers gathered in Boardman, Ore., at a park just west of the proposed rail-to-barge transfer facility to demonstrate their opposition to the plan, which they say would jeopardize tribal fishing sites in the river near the proposed terminal. Some of the protesters plan to fish on the river today.

The facility, proposed by coal giant Ambre Energy, would allow the company to ship its coal from Montana and Wyoming to Asia. The proposed project includes a second facility in Oregon just south of Longview, where the coal would again be transferred from barges to ships to cross the Pacific. The company says it will create jobs and protect the environment by keeping the coal in enclosed containers.

Opponents, including the other Columbia River tribes and environmental groups, don’t want to see more coal transported through the Columbia Gorge.

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